Accepting the award, she said: ” “I hope one day our country will be recognised and treated as a truly independent entity. This is my biggest wish as a Taiwanese.”

Taiwan’s status is sensitive. The island has been self-ruling since 1949 but China regards it as a breakaway province it will reunite with one day.

Worries for future awards

By Cindy Sui, BBC News, Taipei

Politics got in the way last night and threatens future awards ceremonies.

Fu Yue, a Taiwanese winner who made a documentary about Taiwan’s anti-China Sunflower Movement, dropped a bombshell in her acceptance speech, saying that she really hoped Taiwan would become an independent country one day.

Mainland Chinese former Best Actor winner Tu Men then raised more eyebrows by saying he was honoured to present an award in “China, Taiwan” a phrase many Taiwanese object to. He added the two sides were like a close family.

Oscar award-winning director Ang Lee tried to defuse the tensions by calling for politics to be kept out of the awards. But leading Chinese actress Gong Li, chair of the jury, declined to stand on stage with him, reportedly because of the Taiwanese documentary winner’s pro-independence comment.

Many Chinese celebrities reportedly did not attend the after-ceremony party and left Taiwan early.

This leaves Ang Lee, who chairs the Golden Horse committee, very worried about next year’s awards. The festival and awards bring together the best in Chinese-language films. In the past, they’ve been able to avoid politics but not, apparently, in the current tense atmosphere.